Since we get a lot of questions about what hardware to buy, I've decided to list here a few setups that will give the best value for money possible. Each build is designed for the power user - that is, we won't be seeing any Sempr0ns or Celerons here. No way dude, we don't need any of that.

I am also assuming you intend to game. If you don't, simply remove the graphics card option and slap in a cheap PCI-E card. Sorted. I have listed the items from Newegg because most of you lovely lot are American and Newegg seems to be competitively priced.

I have not listed products that are currently on rebate because those deals change. But bear in mind that you could save a fair bit of cash by finding a rebate.

You can obviously pick and choose components from different builds if you wish to place an emphasis on a particular area of performance.

Now, to business:

Budget rig - This what I consider the bare minimum that you should be looking at, specification-wise.

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P31-S3G LGA 775 Intel P31 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics card: Newegg.com - XFX PVT84JUDF3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - Rosewill RP500 ATX12V v1.3/ EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, UL - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 HDS721680PLA380 (0A32727) 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Case and screen are more of a personal choice. Regarding the screen, a 19'' widescreen is a good solid size.

Newegg.com - Hanns?G HW-191DPB Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers - Retail

For the case, you can go for something cheap and paper thin or something with more space and potential upgradability. However, this is a pretty good case if you don't want to spend much but still have good quality:

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE iSOLO GZ-AA1CB-SNB Black Aluminum Front Panel/ 0.7mm SECC Housing ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

= $683.91. Bargaintastic.


Mid-range rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Memory: Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics card: Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H385F256NP Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - HIPER HPU-4M580-PS ATX12V 580W Power Supply 100 - 120V/ 195 - 240V CB, CE, FCC, TUV, cUL - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 HDS721616PLA380 (0A32728) 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Case: Newegg.com - Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Screen: Newegg.com - LG L192WS-BN Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail

= $927.91


High-end rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail -or- Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail. It depends whether you value faster dual core peformance over having four cores. Both CPUs are excellent overclockers.

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics card: Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12 SS-600HM ATX12V / EPS12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD321KJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Case: Newegg.com - Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Screen: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 2220WM Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail

= $1432.91 with E8400, $1490.91 with Q6600


Ultra high-end rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics card: Newegg.com - EVGA 768-P2-N881-AR GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail -or- Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100221SR Radeon HD 3870 X2 1GB (512MB x 2) 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Both cards are excellent, but it remains to be seen whether the Radeon's drivers can improve sufficiently to place it next to the 8800 Ultra.

Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR EPS12V 1000W Continuous @ 50?C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, TUV, RoHS - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Case and screen...well...you decide. And add it up yourself, if you've got that amount of money to spend on this kind of hardware I'm sure you've got the time to lol


High-end SLi rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics cards: 2x Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, ULC, CE, CB, RoHS - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD321KJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM


DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Screen: SLi really helps at resolutions above 1680x1050. So you want something in the 22''+ range.


Ultra high-end SLi rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail -or- if you can find it in stock, the Asus P5N-D Deluxe which supports Tri-SLi (Asus P5N-T Deluxe nForce 780i (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard)

Memory: Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics cards: 2/3x Newegg.com - EVGA 768-P2-N881-AR GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail (tri-SLi if you chose the Asus P5N-T Deluxe)

Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR EPS12V 1000W Continuous @ 50?C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, TUV, RoHS - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Screen: SLi really helps at resolutions above 1680x1050. So you want something in the 22''+ range.


High-end CrossFire rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics cards: 2x Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, ULC, CE, CB, RoHS - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD321KJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Screen: CrossFire really helps at resolutions above 1680x1050. So you want something in the 22''+ range.


Ultra high-end CrossFire rig

CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

Motherboard: Newegg.com - ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Graphics cards: 2x Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100221SR Radeon HD 3870 X2 1GB (512MB x 2) 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Power Supply: Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR EPS12V 1000W Continuous @ 50?C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, TUV, RoHS - Retail

Hard Disk: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD?R DVD Burner - OEM

Screen: CrossFire really helps at resolutions above 1680x1050. So you want something in the 22''+ range.

For gaming rigs, the PSUs you recommend should be better (IMO -- low-end only has 17amp +12v rails). For cheap, I'd recommend this one (Newegg.com - Rosewill RP500 ATX12V v1.3/ EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, UL - Retail) or anything from PCPower&Coolling (not cheap).

A better bet might be to suggest a PCIe 2.0 mobo with a good PSU that has a large amp single rail. The PCIe 2.0 boards allow for 150w in the PCIe slot, allowing many graphics cards to go without extra power couplings from the PSU.

All in all, however, reflux has done a great job researching fair prices and quality parts.

-godling

Excellent 'flux. x2

Just a suggestion for about $5 more you can get an ECS 8600GTS. I've never heard of ECS making graphics cards but it can't be that bad and the jump in performance would be substantial. Or you can get the XFX one for $99.


+rep to ya for the great post

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

Quote: Originally Posted by godling For that gaming rig, the PSU you recommend only has 17amp +12v rails. For cheap, I'd recommend this one (Newegg.com - Rosewill RP500 ATX12V v1.3/ EPS12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, UL - Retail) or anything from PCPower&Coolling (not cheap). -godling

Are Rosewill a good brand? We don't get them in the UK so I'd never heard of them. But that is a good recommendation, edited

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Excellent 'flux. x2 Just a suggestion for about $5 more you can get an ECS 8600GTS. I've never heard of ECS making graphics cards but it can't be that bad and the jump in performance would be substantial. Or you can get the XFX one for $99. +rep to ya for the great post

I decided to shy away from products that were on mail-in rebates because I wanted to give a static picture of what you could get for your cash. But rebates are well worth taking into account, I will edit the original post.

You should list a Ultra High-End SLI setup (aka Nvidia 680i or 780i).
The setup you listed is great for a single card or Crossfire setup, but
I wouldn't buy it :-)
But overall this is an Excellant Thread, + rep if the system will let me :-)

Edit: The system won't let me. I'll get you in a few days :-)

Nice one Reflux, I'm sure this will be useful for people. The only problem with things like this is keeping it up to date.

Great post Reflux.... You going to edit and keep up to date?

Quote: Originally Posted by BeetleMan Great post Reflux.... You going to edit and keep up to date?

Yeah, it's a bit of pain because at the moment we're really in between hardware cycles, which is why I've recommended the E6750 although it's being replaced.

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate You should list a Ultra High-End SLI setup (aka Nvidia 680i or 780i). The setup you listed is great for a single card or Crossfire setup, but I wouldn't buy it :-) But overall this is an Excellant Thread, + rep if the system will let me :-) Edit: The system won't let me. I'll get you in a few days :-)

Edited to reflect SLi and CrossFire setups

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Yeah, it's a bit of pain because at the moment we're really in between hardware cycles, which is why I've recommended the E6750 although it's being replaced. Edited to reflect SLi and CrossFire setups

If its going to be updated frequently, i vote for a sticky

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate You should list a Ultra High-End SLI setup (aka Nvidia 680i or 780i). The setup you listed is great for a single card or Crossfire setup, but I wouldn't buy it :-) But overall this is an Excellant Thread, + rep if the system will let me :-) Edit: The system won't let me. I'll get you in a few days :-)

Got your back Slaymate on the +Reps....

This is an awsome post for people that are not into the know of computers.....I think that if this is going to be updated that it should be a Sticky!!

Yup, it's stickied. I hope it will prove helpful to all

Thanks for the rep everyone.

Quote: Originally Posted by HemiCuda1970 This is an awsome post for people that are not into the know of computers.....I think that if this is going to be updated that it should be a Sticky!!

It has been stuck not sure who stuck it but is now a sticky.

Great Job Dave on making the list..

Maybe an update/edit with the 9800GX2 and 790i??

Quite a bit of time has passed since this thread was created so since I was bored out of mind I decided to update it with the latest schtuff. (And Flux's permission )

Ultra Budget Rig

Case: Cooler Master Elite 330 : $45 : Cases are dime a dozen so take your pick. I went with this one since it happens to be cheap, decent, and relatively good looking.

Motherboard: ASUS 780G HDMI : $95 : The 780G IGP allows for actual gaming with pretty decent performance. Throw in a HD3450 and you can increase performance quite a bit.It also happens to be quite a good motherboard as well.

Power Supply: Antec Basiq 350w PSU : $20 : It's dirt cheap and from a reputable manufacter. Not much more you can ask for at this price level.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 2.2 GHz : $40 : Yes it's a single core processor but it will easily handle basic tasks and even a little gaming. Plus it's cheap.

RAM: 1GB DDR2 Wintec AMPX : $20 : It's cheap.

Hard Drive: 80GB Western Digital 7200RPM : $40 : See above.

Monitor: 17" HannsG Widescreen Monitor : $150 : It's the cheapest monitor availible from a decent manufacter.

Optical Drive: Samsung DVD Burner : $22 : It's the cheapest DVD burner on Newegg.

All in all a very cheap system that should be able to handle basic tasks with ease. Add a few more hard drives and it's a decent HTPC. Throw in a HD3450/70 and it can handle some gaming.

Total Price: $433

Budget System: $700


Case: Cooler Master Centurion 534 : $50 : An excellent case especially at this price.

Motherboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3 : $89 : Cheap + Good overclock + Psychedelic colors = Win.

Video Card: Palit 9600GT : $150 : It's a dirt cheap 9600GT. Performance is on par with the older 8800GT which for a budget rig happens to be phenomenal. Also includes an HDMI port and a $30 MIR. How kind.

Power Supply: OCZ StealthXtreme 500w PSU : $65 : OCZ makes great powersupplies and at this price it's a steal. Also includes a $15 MIR if you're into that sorta thing.

Processor: Intel Pentium E2160 : $70 : Intel's current cheapest dual core processor. Overclocking the sh** out of it is not neccessary but it sure is fun.

RAM: 2GB DDR2 800 Wintec AMPX : $40 : Cheap and possibly overclockable.

Hard Drive: 80GB Western Digital 7200RPM : $40 : It is a budget rig. Cuts have to be made somewhere.

Monitor: 19" Hanns G Widescreen : $169 : It's cheap, reputable, and fairly big.

Optical Drive: Samsung DVD Burner : $22 : It's the cheapest DVD burner on Newegg.

Not much to say on this one. Quite the nice computer which only gets better with overclocking.

Total Price: $697 ($45 MIR can bring the price down a bit too.)

Mid Range: $1000

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 : $54 : I like this case and I had 4 extra dollars.

Motherboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3 : $89 : Cheap + Good overclock + Psychedelic colors = Win.

Video Card: 512mb MSI 8800GTS (G92) : $230 : Performs similarly to an 8800GTX. Which means at ~$200 it's amazing. Also happens to include a copy of the Witcher and a very nice $30 MIR.

Power Supply: Hiper Type-R 680w : $118 : Power to spare, looks badass, reliable, comes in a toolbox (!) and has 8 USB ports on the back. (?!) Also it's a Type-R which means it goes faster.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 8200 OEM : $180 : The cheapest of Intel's new 45nm processors. And despite it's lower multiplier you should still be able to get some impressive overclocks from it.

Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro : $32 : Dirt cheap and a great performer.

RAM: